This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/21/2024
[AMERICANA]. [NEW ORLEANS]. LE PAGE DU PRATZ, [Antoine-Simon] (1695-1775). Histoire de la Louisane. Paris: Chez de Bure; et al, 1758. 12mos. Illustrated with 39 copper engraved plates, two folding maps, folding plan of New Orleans, and errata leaf at end of volume I. Half title present in all three volumes. xvi, 358; 441; 451, [3] pp. Approximately 6 ¾ x 4 ½”. Contemporary full mottled calf, all volumes rebacked in modern light brown calf, spines tooled in gilt in compartments, red and green gilt morocco lettering labels, five raised bands, all edges stained red, new endpapers (some wear to corners, text a bit wrinkled with occasional soiling, foxing, all three volumes with ink library stamp on title-page or half-title (with some occasional ink bleeding to a few conjugate leaves). Still, fine. RARE FIRST EDITION. Le Page du Pratz is one of the most useful authorities on French Louisiana. The author arrived in Louisiana in 1718 and stayed there sixteen years until 1734, observing the men, events, and Indian tribes he describes in this book. He also recounts the strange story of Monocacht-Apé, who is supposed to have crossed the plains from the Missouri to the Pacific Ocean in the early 1700’s.” He gives minute descriptions of the different Indian Tribes, particularly the Natchez, with accounts of their wars, manners, customs, language, government, religion, &c.” (Stevens, Rare Americana). He was living with a woman of the Chetimacha tribe. “It is from his relation that most of the details of the life of the Natchez and other Mississippi tribes of Indians have been derived” (Sabin). One of the most useful contemporary authorities on French Louisiana, based on the author’s sixteen-year residence there. Jefferson instructed Lewis and Clark to take an edition of the book on their expedition. Le Page du Pratz affords a great deal of useful information on the Natchez and other Mississippi tribes, and his work as a whole has been the basis for many later studies of the period. “...Valuable for showing French claims to southern territory east of the Mississippi and for particulars concerning Indian nations there” - Howes. Of special interest is a short account of Louis de St. Denis’ expedition to New Mexico in 1715. “...A curious mixture of history, travel narrative, tall stories, and reminiscences...touch[ing] upon almost every phase of Louisiana in [the author’s] time...” (Clark.) There is a folding plan of New Orleans and a “Carte de la Louisiane” which shows a large eastward-flowing Missouri. Field 910. Graff 2462. Howes L266. Sabin 40122. Streeter 127.